Kaos win division, brace for playoffs

The Kansas Kaos beat the Kansas City Panthers in the season finale on Saturday by a score of 28-20. With the win they improved their season record to 9-1, and clinched the division title.

Jason Sutherland threw two touchdown passes — one to Grady Henderson and the other to Derrion McKenzie. Allen Williams and Clifton “OC” Dumas chipped in rushing touchdowns.

The Kaos struck first with Sutherland connecting with Mckenzie for a 23-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter, but the extra point attempt failed and the lead was 6-0.

After both teams traded punts, the Panthers drove down the field and completed a long pass for a touchdown. After a failed extra point attempt, the game was tied 6-6.

In the second quarter, Sutherland hit Henderson on a short slant pattern. Henderson turned up field and 50 yards later was in the endzone for the score. The 2-point conversion was good and the Kaos led 14-6.

The spread attack of the Panthers gave the Kaos some problems on defense. The Panthers scored late in the second quarter after consecutive long passes. Their 2-point conversion attempt was unsuccessful, and the Kaos clung to a 14-12 lead at intermission.

As the second half began, the Kaos took their first possession and scored by riding the back of Williams. He led a 70-yard drive with powerful runs and capped it with a 25-yard trip to the endzone, making the score 20-12 in favor of the Kaos.

Dumas scored his touchdown in the fourth quarter to extend the Kaos’ lead to 28-12. The Panthers capitalized on some poor clock management and scored on a long pass to bring the score to 28-20.

Once again, a late turnover by the Kaos offense made the game interesting. With time running out the Panthers completed a pass to the Kaos 9-yard line with 37 seconds remaining. After a sack and two incomplete passes, however, the Panthers had one last shot to score. The defense stopped them short and iced the victory for the Kaos.

Coach Kip Van Hoose said he was satisfied with his team’s effort — especially the defense in the fourth quarter. After an interesting second-half of the season, the Kaos held together and are the 2008 NAFL Great Plains Divisional champions.

“We are still working on playing together after a long layoff,” said Van Hoose, noting that his team weathered a long absence from the field when two teams in the league folded and left open dates on the schedule.

The Kaos will play host to the Cass County Renegades, a team they have handled twice this year already, in the first round of the NAFL playoffs on Saturday, Oct. 4. Game time will be announced later this week. Check kaosfootball.com for updates.